JP2007193424A - Image processor, backup program and backup method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To surely backup data in time of disaster by providing a backup method for controlling at least part of stored data to be transmitted to an external device when omen information is acquired. <P>SOLUTION: An MFP as an image processor includes: a data communication control part for communicating with a backup device connected to an LAN or the Internet; an omen accepting part 153 for acquiring a disaster occurrence signal to be output by a disaster omen detecting part; a data storage part 171 for storing data; and a transmission control part 154 for controlling a data communication control part to transmit data preliminarily selected by a priority storage part 172 from among data stored in the data storage part 171 to the backup device when a disaster occurrence signal is received by the omen accepting part 153. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, a backup program, and a backup method, and more particularly to an image processing apparatus having a function of backing up data by storing the data in another apparatus, a backup program executed by the image processing apparatus, and a backup Regarding the method.

  In recent years, multifunction peripherals (hereinafter referred to as “MFPs”) have a hard disk as a mass storage device. For example, billing data, print job data, destination data for facsimile transmission, e-mail destination data, and transmission Various data such as history data for storing the history can be stored. However, if a disaster such as an earthquake, heavy rain, flood, or fire occurs, the data stored in the hard disk will be lost if the MFP is damaged. For this reason, it is desirable that a backup to be stored in another storage device is performed before data is lost. Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-242045 discloses a method for performing backup storage in which a server stores data in a user terminal in a database provided in the server. Receiving backup determination information; determining whether to perform backup storage based on the backup determination information; notifying the user terminal that the backup storage is to be performed; and A data backup method for performing the steps is described.

However, in the data backup method described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-242045, since the server stores the data in the user terminal in a database provided in the server, the server must search the data in the user terminal. . For this reason, there is a problem that the load on the server increases as the number of user terminals increases. If the load on the server increases, it takes time for backup, and it becomes impossible to back up and save data of all user terminals before the user terminals are damaged.
JP 2003-242045 A

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and one object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus capable of reliably backing up data in the event of a disaster.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a backup program and a backup method capable of reliably backing up data in an image processing apparatus at the time of a disaster.

  According to an aspect of the present invention for achieving the above-described object, an image processing apparatus includes a communication unit for communicating with an external device connected to a network, an acquisition unit for acquiring predictive information about a disaster, and data Storage means, and backup means for controlling the communication means to transmit at least a part of the data stored in the storage means to the external device when the sign information is acquired by the acquisition means. .

  According to this aspect, when the predictive information about the disaster is acquired, at least a part of the stored data is transmitted to the external device, so that the data can be backed up and saved before the image processing apparatus is damaged due to the disaster. Data can be prevented from being lost. As a result, it is possible to provide an image processing apparatus capable of reliably backing up data during a disaster.

  Preferably, the backup means includes periodic backup means for controlling the communication means so as to periodically transmit at least part of the data stored in the storage means to the external device, and the storage means is backed up by the periodic backup means. A history storage means for storing the data, and the backup means includes a difference generation means for generating a difference between the data stored in the storage means and the data backed up by the periodic backup means, and transmits the generated difference. The communication means is controlled to do so.

  According to this aspect, the data backed up by the regular backup means is stored separately from the data that is not backed up, and at least a part of the data that is not backed up is transmitted, so the data transmission time is shortened Can do.

  Preferably, the storage means includes priority order information storage means for giving priority to the stored data, and the backup means transmits the data stored in the storage means in order of priority. To control.

  According to this aspect, since priority is given to data and data is transmitted in the order of high priority, data with high priority can be reliably backed up.

  Preferably, the apparatus further includes a receiving unit that receives an input of a priority order to be given to the data stored in the storage unit.

  Preferably, the backup means includes encryption means for encrypting data.

  According to this aspect, data is encrypted and transmitted, so that data security can be ensured.

  Preferably, the information processing apparatus further includes setting means for receiving setting of transmission destination information for transmitting data to the external device.

  Preferably, the information processing apparatus further includes a transmission destination information storage unit that stores in advance transmission destination information of a device different from the external device, and the backup unit stores the transmission destination information in the transmission destination information storage unit when the transmission unit information is not set by the setting unit. The communication means is controlled to transmit data according to the transmitted destination information.

  According to this aspect, when the destination information of the external device is not set, the data is transmitted according to the destination information of the predetermined device unlike the external device, so that the data is surely backed up. Can do.

  Preferably, the transmission destination information storage means includes FTP transmission destination information storage means for storing transmission destination information of an FTP server connected to the network, and the backup means controls the communication means to transmit data to the FTP server. To do.

  Preferably, the transmission destination information storage means includes Internet site information storage means for storing transmission destination information of the manufacturer's Internet site connected to the Internet, and the backup means communicates so as to transmit data to the Internet site. To control.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, a backup program is executed by an image processing apparatus including a communication unit for communicating with an external device connected to a network and a storage unit for storing data. A step of obtaining predictive information relating to a disaster, and a step of controlling the communication means so as to transmit at least a part of data stored in the storage means to an external device when the predictive information is obtained. , Execute.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a backup program capable of reliably backing up data in an image processing apparatus in the event of a disaster.

  According to still another aspect of the present invention, a backup method is a backup executed by an image processing apparatus comprising: a communication unit for communicating with an external device connected to a network; and a storage unit for storing data. A method for obtaining predictive information relating to a disaster, and a step of controlling a communication means so that at least a part of data stored in a storage means is transmitted to an external device when the predictive information is obtained. And including.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a backup method capable of reliably backing up data in an image processing apparatus at the time of a disaster.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall outline of a data backup system according to one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, a data backup system includes an MFP (Multi Function Peripheral) 1 that stores data for backup storage, a file transfer server (hereinafter referred to as “FTP server”) 3, and a personal computer (PC) 5. Are connected by a local area network (LAN) 11. The LAN 11 is connected to the Internet 12. Connected to the Internet 12 are a backup device 2 for backing up and storing data of the MFP 1, a manufacturer computer 4 having a website of the manufacturer of the MFP 1, and a mail server 6 for sending and receiving e-mails.

  Therefore, the MFP 1 can communicate with the FTP server 3 and the PC 5 connected via the LAN 11, and further communicate with the backup device 2, the manufacturer computer 4, and the mail server 6 connected via the Internet 12. Is possible. The MFP 1 is connected to a public switched telephone network 13 and can communicate with a facsimile machine connected to the PSTN 13.

  The MFP 1 has a copy function, a scanner function, a facsimile transmission / reception function, a print function, and a data storage function. The MFP 1 includes a hard disk drive as a mass storage device for storing data, and stores various data. The MFP 1 can be set so that data stored in the hard disk is periodically transmitted to the backup device 2 and stored in the backup device 2 by backup setting. However, this backup setting is not essential, and regular backup storage by the backup device 2 is not performed when the backup setting is not performed.

  In the present embodiment, MFP 1, backup device 2 and manufacturer computer 4 are installed in geographically separated areas. For example, it is desirable that the distance is several tens of kilometers or more. Further, it is desirable that the FTP server 3 be installed in a geographically distant area from the MFP 1, but if there is a LAN cable restriction, it is preferable that the FTP server 3 be installed in a different building. Are preferably located on different floors.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the MFP. Referring to FIG. 2, the MFP 1 includes an information processing unit 101, a facsimile unit 27, a communication control unit 28, an ADF 21, an image reading unit 22, an image forming unit 23, a paper feeding unit 24, a disaster sign. And a detection unit 25. The information processing unit 101 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 111, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 112 used as a work area of the CPU 111, a hard disk drive (HDD) 113 for storing data in a nonvolatile manner, a display Unit 114, operation unit 115, data communication control unit 116, and data input / output unit 117. The CPU 111 is connected to the data input / output unit 117, the data communication control unit 116, the operation unit 115, the display unit 114, and the HDD 113, and controls the entire information processing unit 101. The CPU 111 is connected to the facsimile unit 27, the communication control unit 28, the ADF 21, the image reading unit 22, the image forming unit 23, the paper feeding unit 24, and the disaster sign detection unit 25, and controls the entire MFP 1.

  The disaster sign detection unit 25 includes a sensor that detects a P wave that is transmitted first when an earthquake occurs. When detecting the P wave, the disaster sign detection unit 25 immediately outputs a disaster occurrence signal indicating that the P wave has been detected to the CPU 111. For this reason, data can be backed up before the S wave of the second vibration arrives after the P wave is detected. The disaster sign detection unit 25 is connected to a building fire alarm and receives fire occurrence information. Upon receiving the fire occurrence information, the disaster sign detection unit 25 outputs a disaster occurrence signal to the CPU 111. Further, the disaster sign detection unit 25 receives the disaster warning information such as heavy rain, flood, thunder, earthquake, etc., which is transmitted from the public or private disaster warning agency, so that the disaster warning detection unit 25 receives the disaster warning information. May be made to output a disaster occurrence signal to CPU111. Information for notifying the occurrence of a disaster such as the P wave, the fire occurrence information, and the disaster notice information will be collectively referred to as “predictive information”.

  The display unit 114 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) or an organic ELD (Electro Luminescence Display), and displays an instruction menu for the user, information about acquired image data, and the like. The operation unit 115 includes a plurality of keys, and accepts input of various instructions, data such as characters and numbers by user operations corresponding to the keys. Operation unit 115 further includes a touch panel provided on display unit 114. The display unit 114 and the operation unit 115 constitute an operation panel.

  The data communication control unit 116 is connected to the data input / output unit 117. The data communication control unit 116 controls the data input / output unit 117 according to an instruction from the CPU 111 and transmits / receives data to / from an external device connected to the data input / output unit 117. The data input / output unit 117 includes a LAN terminal 118 that is an interface for communication using a communication protocol such as TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) or FTP (File Transfer Protocol), and a USB (Universal Serial Bus) terminal 119.

  In the MFP 1, when a LAN cable for connecting to the LAN 11 is connected to the LAN terminal 118, the data communication control unit 116 controls the data input / output unit 117 to connect the FTP server 3 connected via the LAN terminal 118. Further, it communicates with the PC 5 and further communicates with the backup device 2, the manufacturer computer 4 and the mail server 6 connected to the LAN 11 via the Internet 12. The MFP 1 receives data from the PC 5 and stores the received data in the HDD 113. Further, the MFP 1 causes the image forming unit 23 to print the data received from the PC 5 based on an instruction from the PC 5.

  When a device is connected to the USB terminal 119, the data communication control unit 116 controls the data input / output unit 117 to communicate with the connected device and input / output data. A USB memory 119A with a built-in flash memory can be connected to the USB terminal 119. The USB memory 119A stores a backup program to be described later, and the CPU 111 controls the data communication control unit 116 to read the backup program from the USB memory 119A, store the read backup program in the RAM 112, and execute it. .

  The recording medium for storing the backup program is not limited to the USB memory 119A, but is a flexible disk, cassette tape, optical disk (CD-ROM (Compact Disc-Read Only Memory) / MO (Magnetic Optical Disc / MD (Mini Disc)). / DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), IC card (including memory card), optical card, mask ROM, EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM), semiconductor memory such as EEPROM (Electronically EPROM), etc. In addition, the CPU 111 downloads a backup program from the manufacturer computer 4. The manufacturer computer 4 may write the backup program into the HDD 113 and load the backup program stored in the HDD 113 into the RAM 112 and execute it by the CPU 111. The program includes not only a program directly executable by the CPU 111 but also a source program format program, a compressed program, an encrypted program, and the like.

  The facsimile unit 27 is connected to the PSTN 13 and transmits facsimile data to the PSTN 13 or receives facsimile data from the PSTN 13. The facsimile unit 27 stores the received facsimile data in the HDD 113, converts the received facsimile data into print data that can be printed by the image forming unit 23, and outputs the print data to the image forming unit 23. As a result, the image forming unit 23 prints the facsimile data received by the facsimile unit 27 on a recording sheet. Further, the facsimile unit 27 converts the data stored in the HDD 113 into facsimile data, and transmits the facsimile data to a FAX connected to the PSTN 13.

  FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing an outline of the functions of the CPU of the MFP together with information stored in the HDD. Referring to FIG. 3, CPU 111 includes a timer 152 that measures time, a sign accepting unit 153 that accepts a disaster occurrence signal from disaster sign detecting unit 25, and a backup unit 151 that backs up data stored in HDD 113. A transmission control unit 154 for transmitting data for backup, a backup setting unit 155 for receiving and storing backup settings, and an e-mail transmission unit 156 for transmitting e-mails.

  The backup unit 151 executes regular backup processing and emergency backup processing. The regular backup process is a process for regularly backing up data according to the backup setting set by the backup setting unit 155. Therefore, the periodic backup process is executed when backup is set, but is not executed when backup is not set. The emergency backup process is performed separately from the regular backup process, and is a process for backing up data when a disaster occurrence signal is received by the sign reception unit 153. Therefore, the backup unit 151 executes the emergency backup process regardless of whether the backup setting is made.

  The HDD 113 includes a data storage unit 171 that stores data to be backed up, a priority storage unit 172 that defines the type and order of data to be backed up, destination information that defines a device that transmits data to be backed up, and the like. A destination storage unit 173 for storing data and a history storage unit 174 for storing a history of data already backed up by the regular backup process are included.

  The history storage unit 174 stores the backed up data, and stores the data changed after the backup with a change flag.

  The backup setting unit 155 causes the display unit 114 to display a transmission destination setting screen for setting transmission destination information necessary for transmitting data to a device that backs up and saves the data. The destination information is received and stored in the transmission destination storage unit 173 of the HDD 113. Further, the backup setting unit 155 displays a priority setting screen for setting priority information that defines selection of data to be backed up and a backup order on the display unit 114, and the priority input by the user to the operation unit 115 Information is received and stored in the priority storage unit 172 of the HDD 113.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a transmission destination setting screen. Referring to FIG. 4, the transmission destination setting screen includes a network address assigned to a device that backs up data, a region (directory) for storing data to be backed up, and a region for inputting a backup time. The figure shows a case where data to be backed up is transmitted by FTP, and the IP address “150.17.40.100” assigned to the backup apparatus 2 as data necessary for transmission by FTP is displayed on the transmission destination setting screen. In addition, “¥ MFP1 ¥ Backup ¥” is input as the directory of the storage device of the backup device 2, and “every day PM11: 00” is input as the backup time.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of transmission destination information stored in the transmission destination storage unit. Referring to FIG. 5, the transmission destination information is data in which a device name of a device to be backed up, access information, and a backup time are associated with each other. In the figure, in addition to the transmission destination information of the backup device 2, transmission destination information of the FTP server 3 and the manufacturer computer 4 is stored in the transmission destination storage unit 173. The access information of the backup device 2 is an IP address and a directory of the backup device 2 necessary for transmitting data by FTP. The destination information of the FTP server 3 is stored in the destination storage unit 173 when the MFP 1 is set to enable the FTP function. Therefore, when the MFP 1 is not set to enable the FTP function, the transmission destination information of the FTP server 3 is not stored in the transmission destination storage unit 173. The access information in the transmission destination information of the FTP server 3 is the IP address and directory of the FTP server 3, and the backup time is blank. The transmission destination information of the manufacturer computer 4 is stored in the transmission destination storage unit 173 when the MFP 1 is shipped. Access information in the transmission destination information of the manufacturer computer 4 is a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) indicating the Internet site of the manufacturer computer 4, and the backup time is blank.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a priority setting screen. Referring to FIG. 6, the priority setting screen displays the data types of data to be backed up from a plurality of data types arranged in the order of backup. Here, the data types of job history, counter data, and FAX reception data are selected as data to be backed up, and further, the order of backup is determined in the order of job history, counter data, and FAX reception data. . The order can be changed by selecting the data type on the touch panel and instructing the UP key or the DOWN key.

  Returning to FIG. 3, the backup unit 151 executes the regular backup process on the condition that the backup is set. If the transmission destination information of the backup device 2 is stored in the transmission destination storage unit 173, the backup unit 151 executes a backup transmission process when the time counted by the timer 152 becomes the backup time of the transmission destination information. Moreover, the backup part 151 will perform an emergency backup process, if the disaster reception signal is received by the sign reception part 153. FIG. When the disaster occurrence signal is received, the backup unit 151 executes the backup transmission process if the transmission destination information of the backup device 2 is stored in the transmission destination storage unit 173, but the backup device 2 stores the backup device 2 in the transmission destination storage unit 173. If no destination information is stored, an alternative backup process is executed. In other words, when the disaster occurrence signal is received, the backup unit 151 executes the backup transmission process if the backup is set, but executes the alternative backup transmission process if the backup is not set.

  The backup unit 151 reads from the data storage unit 171 the backup data determination unit 161 for determining data to be backed up based on the priority information stored in the priority storage unit 172, and the data determined to be backed up. A data read unit 162, a difference generation unit 163 that generates a difference between data that was backed up in the past, an encryption unit 164 that encrypts the difference and outputs it to the transmission control unit 154, and a transmission that transmits data for backup A destination determination unit 165 that determines a destination and outputs the destination to the transmission control unit 154.

  When the backup setting is made, the backup data determination unit 161 determines data to be backed up based on the priority information stored in the priority storage unit 172, and the identification information such as the file name of the determined backup data is stored in the data The data is output to the reading unit 162. The backup data determination unit 161 determines and determines the data to be backed up based on the default priority information because the priority information is not stored in the priority storage unit 172 when the backup setting is not performed. Identification information such as the file name of the backup data is output to the data reading unit 162.

  The data reading unit 162 reads the data with the file name input from the backup data determination unit 161 from the data storage unit 171 and outputs the data to the difference generation unit 163.

  If history information is stored in the history storage unit 174, the difference generation unit 163 determines whether it has been changed after backup from the change flag stored in the history storage unit 174, and if the change flag is not attached, The data input from the reading unit 162 is discarded, and if the change flag is attached, the data at the previous backup is read from the history storage unit 174, the difference from the data input from the data reading unit 162 is calculated, The data is output to the encryption unit 164. If history information is not stored in the history storage unit 174, the difference generation unit 163 outputs the data input from the data reading unit 162 to the encryption unit 164 as it is.

  The encryption unit 164 encrypts the data or the difference input from the difference generation unit 163 to generate encrypted data, and outputs the encrypted data to the transmission control unit 154. Note that the difference may be compressed in order to reduce the amount of data to be transmitted. In this case, the compressed data is encrypted and transmitted.

  The transmission destination determination unit 165 reads transmission destination information from the transmission destination storage unit 173, determines a transmission destination device, and outputs a transmission instruction to the transmission control unit 154. Specifically, if the transmission destination information of the backup device 2 is stored in the transmission destination storage unit 173, the transmission destination determination unit 165 outputs the access information of the backup device 2 to the transmission control unit 154, and the transmission control unit Instruct 154 to send by FTP. The transmission destination determination unit 165 also stores the access information of the FTP server 3 if the transmission destination information of the backup device 2 is not stored in the transmission destination storage unit 173 and the transmission destination information of the FTP server 3 is stored. The data is output to the transmission control unit 154, and the transmission control unit 154 is instructed to perform FTP transmission. Further, the transmission destination determination unit 165 outputs the access information of the manufacturer computer to the transmission control unit 154 if neither transmission destination information of the backup device 2 nor the FTP server 3 is stored in the transmission destination storage unit 173, and transmission control is performed. The unit 154 is instructed to perform transmission using a predetermined protocol.

  The transmission control unit 154 transmits the encrypted data input from the encryption unit 164 to the transmission destination device in accordance with the transmission instruction input from the transmission destination determination unit 165. When the backup unit 151 executes an alternative backup process, the e-mail transmission unit 156 uses an e-mail address stored in advance in the HDD 113 as a destination and includes information for specifying a transmission destination to which the backed up data is transmitted. A mail is generated and transmitted to the mail server 6. The e-mail address stored in advance in HDD 113 is preferably an e-mail address assigned to the administrator of MFP 1. As a result, the administrator of the MFP 1 can know the device in which the data is backed up by browsing the electronic mail.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of backup processing executed by the CPU of the MFP in the present embodiment. Referring to FIG. 7, CPU 111 determines whether backup is set (step S01). If the transmission destination information of the backup device 2 is stored in the transmission destination storage unit 173, the CPU 111 determines that backup is set, and advances the processing to step S02. On the other hand, if the transmission destination information of the backup device 2 is not stored, it is determined that backup is not set, and the process proceeds to step S05.

  In step S02, the CPU 111 proceeds to step S03 when the regular backup time is reached, and proceeds to step S05 if the regular backup time is not reached. If the time measured by the timer 152 is the backup time of the transmission destination information of the backup device 2, the CPU 111 determines that it is a regular backup time. In step S03, the transmission destination information of the backup device 2 is read from the transmission destination storage unit 173. In step S04, the backup transmission process is executed, and the process ends. The backup transmission process will be described later.

  On the other hand, in step S05, the CPU 111 determines whether there is a disaster sign. CPU 111 advances the process to step S06 if a disaster occurrence signal is received by sign receiving unit 153, but returns the process to step S01 if not. In step S06, a transmission destination determination process is executed. Although the transmission destination determination process will be described later, it is a process of determining a device for backing up data and setting transmission destination information.

  In step S07, as in step S01, it is determined whether backup is set. If backup is set, the process proceeds to step S04. If backup is not set, the process proceeds to step S08. In step S08, an alternative backup process is executed and the process ends. The alternative backup process will be described later.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of a transmission destination determination process. Referring to FIG. 8, CPU 111 determines whether backup is set (step S11). If the backup is set, the process proceeds to step S12. If the backup is not set, the process proceeds to step S13. . In step S12, the transmission destination information of the backup device 2 is read from the transmission destination storage unit 173, and the process returns to the backup process.

  In step S13, it is determined whether an FTP server is set (step S13). The CPU 111 determines that the FTP server is set if the transmission destination information of the FTP server 3 is stored in the transmission destination storage unit 173, and determines that the FTP server is not set otherwise. In step S14, the transmission destination information of the FTP server 3 is read from the transmission destination storage unit 173, and the process returns to the backup process. In step S15, the transmission destination information of the manufacturer computer is read from the transmission destination storage unit 173, and the process returns to the backup process.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of backup transmission processing. Referring to FIG. 9, CPU 111 determines whether a priority is set (step S21). If the priority information is stored in the priority storage unit 172, the CPU 111 determines that the priority is set, reads the priority information, and proceeds to step S22, but the priority storage unit 172 stores the priority information. If the priority information is not stored, it is determined that the priority is not set, and the process proceeds to step S28. In step S <b> 22, data to be backed up is read from the data storage unit 171 in descending order of priority in the read priority information.

  Then, it is determined whether or not the read data has been backed up (step S23). If the change information is not included in the history information of the read data, the CPU 111 determines that the backup has been completed and proceeds to step S27. If the change information is included in the history information of the read data, the CPU 111 The data at the time of the previous backup is read from the storage unit 174, and the process proceeds to step S24.

In step S24, a difference between the data read in step S22 and the previous backup data read in step S23 is generated. Then, the generated difference is encrypted to generate encrypted data (step S25), and the encrypted data is transmitted to the transmission destination information read in step S03 in FIG. 7 or when the transmission destination determination process is executed. According to the destination information read in step S12 of FIG. 8, the data is transmitted to the backup device 2 (step S26). In step S27, the CPU 111 determines whether or not there is data to be processed next. If it exists, the process returns to step S22, and if not, the process returns to the backup process. If the history information of the data read in step S22 does not exist in the history storage unit 174, the data itself is encrypted (step S25) and transmitted to the backup device 2 (step S26).

  On the other hand, in step S <b> 28, the CPU 111 reads data to be backed up from the data storage unit 171 in order of descending priority according to the default priority information. Default priority information is stored in the HDD 113 in advance. Since the processing from step S29 to step S33 is the same as the processing from step S23 to step S27, the description will not be repeated here.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of an alternative backup transmission process. Referring to FIG. 10, the processing from step S41 to step S44 is the same as the processing from step S28 to step S33 in FIG. 9, and therefore description thereof will not be repeated here. The alternative backup transmission process is executed when it is determined in step S07 in FIG. 7 that the backup is not set. Therefore, the transmission destination for transmitting data in step S43 is the FTP server 3 when the FTP server is set, and the manufacturer computer 4 when the FTP server is not set. Therefore, data can be backed up even when the MFP 1 is not set for backup. Then, in step S45 after the transmission of the data for backup is completed, the CPU 111 uses an e-mail address stored in advance in the HDD 113 as the destination, and includes an electronic device including information for specifying the destination to which the backed-up data is transmitted. A mail is generated and transmitted to the mail server 6. As a result, the administrator of the MFP 1 can know the device in which the data is backed up by browsing the electronic mail.

  As described above, the MFP 1 in the present embodiment receives the data communication control unit 116 for communicating with the backup device 2 connected to the LAN 11 or the Internet 12 and the disaster occurrence signal output from the disaster sign detection unit 25. When a disaster occurrence signal is received by the sign accepting unit 153, the data storing unit 171 for storing data, and the sign accepting unit 153, the priority storing unit 172 stores in advance the data stored in the data storing unit 171. A transmission control unit 154 that controls the data communication control unit 116 so as to transmit the selected data to the backup device 2. Therefore, it is possible to prevent data from being lost by transmitting data before the MFP 1 is damaged due to a disaster. Moreover, since the disaster sign detection part 25 is provided with the sensor which detects a P wave, after detecting a P wave, it can back up data before an S wave arrives.

  In addition, since the history storage unit 174 stores the data backed up by the regular backup process separately from the data that has not been backed up, the backed up data is not backed up, and the data that has not been backed up is compared with the previous backup. Since only the difference is transmitted, the data transmission time can be shortened.

  In addition, since data is transmitted in the order defined by the priority information stored in the priority storage unit 172, data with high priority can be backed up reliably.

  Furthermore, since data is encrypted and transmitted, data security can be ensured.

  Further, if the backup setting is not set, if the FTP server 3 is set, data for backup is transmitted to the FTP server 3, and if the FTP server 3 is not set, the manufacturer computer 4 is predetermined. Send data for backup to the Internet site. For this reason, data can be backed up even when backup is not set.

  In the above-described embodiment, the MFP 1 has been described. However, the backup program that causes the CPU 111 of the MFP 1 to execute the backup process illustrated in FIGS. 7 to 10 and the backup that causes the MFP 1 to execute the backup process illustrated in FIGS. It goes without saying that the invention can be understood as a method.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

It is a figure showing the whole data backup system outline in one of the embodiments of the invention. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an MFP. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing an outline of functions of a CPU of an MFP together with information stored in an HDD. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of a transmission destination setting screen. It is a figure which shows an example of the transmission destination information memorize | stored in a transmission destination memory | storage part. It is a figure which shows an example of a priority setting screen. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of backup processing executed by the CPU of the MFP according to the present embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of a transmission destination determination process. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of a backup transmission process. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of an alternative backup transmission process.

Explanation of symbols

  1 MFP, 2 backup device, 3 FTP server, 4 manufacturer computer, 5 PC, 6 mail server, 11 LAN, 12 Internet, 13 PSTN, 21 ADF, 22 image reading unit, 23 image forming unit, 24 paper feeding unit, 25 Disaster sign detection unit, 27 facsimile unit, 28 communication control unit, 101 information processing unit, 111 CPU, 112 RAM, 113 HDD, 114 display unit, 115 operation unit, 116 data communication control unit, 117 data input / output unit, 119A USB Memory, 151 Backup unit, 152 Timer, 153 Predictive reception unit, 154 Transmission control unit, 155 Backup setting unit, 156 E-mail transmission unit, 161 Backup data determination unit, 162 Data reading unit, 163 Difference generation unit, 164 Encryption unit 165 Destination determination unit, 171 data storage unit, 172 priority storage unit, 173 transmission destination storage unit, 174 history storage unit.

Claims (11)

A communication means for communicating with an external device connected to the network;
An acquisition means for acquiring predictive information about the disaster;
Storage means for storing data;
Image processing comprising: backup means for controlling the communication means so as to transmit at least a part of data stored in the storage means to the external device when the sign information is obtained by the obtaining means apparatus. The backup means includes periodic backup means for controlling the communication means to periodically transmit at least a part of data stored in the storage means to the external device,
The storage means includes history storage means for storing data backed up by the periodic backup means,
The backup means includes a difference generation means for generating a difference between the data stored in the storage means and the data backed up by the periodic backup means,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication unit is controlled to transmit the generated difference. The storage means includes priority order information storage means for giving priority to the stored data,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the backup unit controls the communication unit to transmit the data stored in the storage unit in the order of the priority.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a receiving unit that receives an input of a priority order to be given to data stored in the storage unit.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the backup unit includes an encryption unit that encrypts the data.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a setting unit that receives setting of transmission destination information for transmitting the data to the external apparatus. Further comprising transmission destination information storage means for previously storing transmission destination information of a device different from the external device;
The backup unit controls the communication unit to transmit the data in accordance with the destination information stored in the destination information storage unit when the destination information is not set by the setting unit. The image processing apparatus according to 1. The destination information storage means includes FTP destination information storage means for storing destination information of an FTP server connected to the network;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the backup unit controls the communication unit to transmit the data to the FTP server. The transmission destination information storage means includes Internet site information storage means for storing transmission destination information of a manufacturer's Internet site connected to the Internet,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the backup unit controls the communication unit to transmit the data to the Internet site. A backup program executed by an image processing apparatus including a communication unit for communicating with an external device connected to a network, and a storage unit for storing data,
Obtaining predictive information about the disaster;
And a step of controlling the communication means to transmit at least a part of the data stored in the storage means to the external device when the sign information is acquired. A backup method executed by an image processing apparatus comprising: a communication unit for communicating with an external device connected to a network; and a storage unit for storing data.
Obtaining predictive information about the disaster;
And a step of controlling the communication means to transmit at least a part of the data stored in the storage means to the external device when the sign information is acquired.

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